Best Tours in St. Augustine: A Complete Guide

Every street has a story. Every building has a history. Here is how to experience them.

St. Augustine is one of the most toured cities in America for good reason. The challenge is not finding things to do, it is deciding where to start when you only have a day or two. This guide covers the best tour experiences across every category.

Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tours

The most practical introduction to St. Augustine for first-time visitors. Ride through the historic district with a knowledgeable guide narrating 450 years of history and get on and off at stops throughout the city. Visit Flagler College, walk St. George Street, explore the Castillo, then hop back on the next trolley. One ticket covers the entire day.

Walking History Tours

For those who want depth over breadth. A guided walking tour covers fewer locations but goes much deeper into the stories behind them. The city is highly walkable and the historic district is compact. A good walking tour covers the Cathedral Basilica, the Plaza de la Constitución, St. George Street, and the Castillo in 90 minutes to two hours.

Golf Cart Tours

The private golf cart tours have become one of the most popular ways to see St. Augustine. You get a local guide, a small or private group experience, and the ability to cover ground efficiently while stopping wherever interests you. Particularly good for families with young children or anyone with mobility considerations.

Food and Wine Tours

St. Augustine has a genuinely excellent food scene for a city its size. Food tours combine sightseeing with tastings at local restaurants, typically 5 to 7 stops covering everything from craft spirits at St. Augustine Distillery to fresh seafood to locally made ice cream.

Ghost Tours

St. Augustine is one of the most haunted cities in America and the ghost tour industry here is serious. Options range from theatrical trolley experiences to genuine paranormal investigations with EMF equipment.

Boat Tours and Sunset Cruises

Seeing St. Augustine from the water is a completely different experience from street level. The Bridge of Lions, the Castillo, and the lighthouse all look different from Matanzas Bay. Sunset cruises are particularly popular.

Airboat Tours

For something completely different, airboat tours on the St. Johns River take you into the Florida wilderness, alligators, manatees, osprey, and Old Florida landscape. About 30 minutes from downtown.

How to Choose

• First time in St. Augustine: Trolley tour during the day, ghost tour in the evening
• Returning visitor: Walking history tour, food tour, or boat cruise you have not done before
• Families with kids: Golf cart tour during the day, family-friendly ghost tour in the evening
• Couples: Sunset cruise, food and wine tour, private golf cart or ghost tour
• History enthusiasts: Walking history tour, visit Mission Nombre de Dios and the Castillo
• Paranormal enthusiasts: GhoSt Augustine Dead Walk or Haunted History Tour

Places to Explore

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